Things to do when it is crowded?

[sgrap]

We have been to DLR multiple times, but because we homeschool, we have always planned our trips during lower attendance times (which are getting fewer and fewer! ). Well, we just jumped on 3 nights that opened up at VGC in mid-March and I know it's going to be the start of spring break. We added a 4th night so we will be there Friday March 17-Tuesday March 21. I know it's going to be much busier than we usually experience, so I'm thinking I'd like to think of some things we might ordinarily miss because we are running from ride to ride and seeing the big shows. Does anyone have suggestions for some less-popular shows or areas that we might have missed?

One example: I didn't know about until a few years ago was the musical chairs with the Mad Hatter and Alice. We were absolutely hysterical at their antics and we still quote "what's your motivation?" around here. One of the best memories of that whole trip.

Also, any tours or ticketed events like the MSEP dining packages that will help?

We have never done any activities at GCH either--or any of the DLR hotels for that matter.

Thank you!

 

[rentayenta]

When we stay at the GCV, we spend a lot of time at the resort. In March, it should be warm enough to swim. We like the Art of Animation in DCA, parades, Mickey and the Magical Map, taking the train/Monorail around for a spin.

You could look into a VIP tour, they are spendy but oh so much fun!

 

[MacMama0930]

Love this website:

http://dlrprepschool.com/what-to-do-when-disneyland-is-super-crowded/

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

What's the musical chairs about? Never heard of it.
I'm wanting to know too, so I'll be watching your thread. I will say, when we were there last month and one day was packed, we got on the monorail. The wait was long to get on but we stayed on it for 2 rounds and it was a nice rest and the fireworks were going so view was really good.

 

[sleepymouse]

The GCH has scavenger hunts that you can do. I believe 2 are ride-themed and 1 is for the GCH. Definitely do the GCH one.

 

[MacMama0930]

This post is good too

http://dlrprepschool.com/unique-disneyland-do-more-than-ride/

 

[prestoncaldwell]

We have been to DLR multiple times, but because we homeschool, we have always planned our trips during lower attendance times (which are getting fewer and fewer! ). Well, we just jumped on 3 nights that opened up at VGC in mid-March and I know it's going to be the start of spring break. We added a 4th night so we will be there Friday March 17-Tuesday March 21. I know it's going to be much busier than we usually experience, so I'm thinking I'd like to think of some things we might ordinarily miss because we are running from ride to ride and seeing the big shows. Does anyone have suggestions for some less-popular shows or areas that we might have missed?

One example: I didn't know about until a few years ago was the musical chairs with the Mad Hatter and Alice. We were absolutely hysterical at their antics and we still quote "what's your motivation?" around here. One of the best memories of that whole trip.

Also, any tours or ticketed events like the MSEP dining packages that will help?

We have never done any activities at GCH either--or any of the DLR hotels for that matter.

Thank you!

You won't have it too awful bad, because Easter falls on April 16 this year!

Even if the crowds are a little more than your custom, what has worked for us is arriving for early morning hours when we have them, or rope drop, enjoying the park till lunchtime, then offsite lunch and resort break until early evening. Return to the park early evening.

I'll bet you'll find that you can do pretty much everything you want.

 

[PanIstheMan]

I'll second Mickey and the Magical Map. Also, the show Mary Poppins and Bert do in front of the castle is fun. As far as attractions go, if you rope drop and use FastPass wisely, you'll be fine.

Tinkerbell, here's a video of the musical chairs game with Alice and the Mad Hatter. (If you're really lucky, Peter Pan may show up also!)

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Thanks Panistheman, is there a schedule for the musical chairs one or do they just do it randomly?

 

[PanIstheMan]

Check the Disneyland app for the Main Street Piano Player. His set around 2:00 or 2:30 (varies a bit by day) is generally the musical chairs game.

 

[PanIstheMan]

Also, the OP mentioned things to do at the hotels. The coffee shop at the Disneyland Hotel now sells Dole Whips and Dole Whip floats with a far shorter line than you'll typically find in the park. On our trip last month, we liked to get one and sit outside (between the Fantasy Tower and the pool) when the characters came out around 1:00. Our four-year-old had a great time playing games with Chip, Dale, Goofy, and Pluto. There were very few people out and almost no line for pictures.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Everything in the Animation Academy in DCA:

Character Drawing
Sorcerer's Workshop
Turtle Talk with Crush

You could walk by that building a zillion times oblivious to all the things in there.

 

[sgrap]

Everything in the Animation Academy in DCA:

Character Drawing
Sorcerer's Workshop
Turtle Talk with Crush

You could walk by that building a zillion times oblivious to all the things in there.

That is my favorite place in DCA!!!

 

[sgrap]

I'll second Mickey and the Magical Map. Also, the show Mary Poppins and Bert do in front of the castle is fun. As far as attractions go, if you rope drop and use FastPass wisely, you'll be fine.

Tinkerbell, here's a video of the musical chairs game with Alice and the Mad Hatter. (If you're really lucky, Peter Pan may show up also!)

We had never seen it before, and our girls played . . . and ended up 'winning.' Oh my goodness, we laughed so hard, and the look on their faces when they found out what they had won!

 

[Pintail]

The Grand Californian has a great tour we booked at the concierge desk in the lobby.

It is a small group on the tour.

The 'Art of the Craft' tour shows the art in the resort, and we were able to see one of the large suites.

It can also be a fun time to do some pin trading, if you have not done that it is fun.

 

[sgrap]

The Grand Californian has a great tour we booked at the concierge desk in the lobby.

It is a small group on the tour.

The 'Art of the Craft' tour shows the art in the resort, and we were able to see one of the large suites.

It can also be a fun time to do some pin trading, if you have not done that it is fun.

Fun! Great, ideas, thank you! Yes, we like to pin trade and should make time to do more of it.

 

[sgrap]

Thank you, everyone, for the great ideas so far!

 

[Disney_Alli]

I love to do the shows when it gets busy. Magical Map was awesome! Next time we're there we want to make sure we see the princess shows (in June!)


Edited to fix the most redundant sentence I've ever posted in my life

 

[sgrap]

I love to do the shows when it gets busy. Magical Map was awesome! Next time we're there we want to make sure we see the princess shows the next time we're there (in June!)

I agree, Magical Map is wonderful! The Princess plays at the Royal Theatre are always so well and done and so funny--we love them!

 

[tanyaegangibson]

A few thoughts:

In addition to the "Art of the Craft" tour for guests of the 3 onsite hotels, there's also one for the DLH, "The Happiest Hotel on Earth," which my kids and I both enjoyed.

There's a free tour of Carthay Circle restaurant in DCA at around 10:00 or 10:30 a.m. that we also enjoyed. (Luckily for me, my kids think Disney history is as interesting as I do.)

Afternoon Tea at the Disneyland Hotel was really fun, too. We did this as a late lunch during that hot 1-3 p.m. time (it was summer), and it was wonderful to be in the dark, cool Steakhouse 55.

My kids also like Downtown Disney at night for the music. Plus, there are things to do with Legos (racing Lego cars, I think?) outside the Lego Store.

Oh, and don't get me (them) started on the pressed penny collecting. They could spend a ton of time just doing that, especially with the fun machines in the big store in Adventureland.